Phoenix police arrest man who faces 18 charges of armed robbery
Mar 1, 2019, 11:22 AM
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)
PHOENIX – Police this week apprehended a man suspected of a three-week armed robbery spree in the Valley.
Phoenix detectives arrested Christian Contreras, 23, without incident Wednesday.
“Right now he has been booked into jail on 18 counts of armed robbery,” Sgt. Armando Carbajal told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday.
Contreras allegedly targeted fast food restaurants by standing in line with customers and waiting for a cash register to be opened.
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“The suspect would then brandish a handgun, more than likely jump the counter, and then take whatever was available in the cash register before fleeing the scene,” Carbajal said.
The crimes occurred between Feb. 6 and the day Contreras was arrested.
Most were in Phoenix, but one was in Avondale and another was under the jurisdiction of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Robbery detectives were able to recognize a pattern and identify Contreras as the suspect.
“This was able to come to a successful resolution because of very good witnesses that were at the scene that were able to provide feedback to our investigators … and then really good report writing by our police officers and then working with other agencies in identifying him and apprehending him,” Carbajal said.
According to the Maricopa County courts website, Contreras previously pleaded guilty on a misconduct charge involving weapons in 2009.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Nailea Leon contributed to this report.
